It was recently reported in the OC Register that Freddy Pacheco, suspected of armed robbery of a Chevron gas station in Lake Forest last week, was arrested for a second robbery attempt of a mobile vendor in Laguna Hills on Saturday night. Pacheco was booked on suspicion of armed robbery in both Laguna Hills and Lake Forest, and was taken to Orange County Jail on the $250,000 warrant issued for the Lake Forest robbery. From the gas station’s videotape surveillance and other forensic evidence, authorities believe it was Pacheco who entered the Chevron gas station and pulled a semi-automatic handgun from his front pocket and threatened the clerk to either give Pacheco the money or Pacheco would kill him. The clerk handed over the money and called the police after the suspect fled.
Under California Penal Code (CPC) Section 211, robbery is defined as the “felonious taking” of personal property in the possession of another, from his person or immediate presence, and against his will, accomplished by means of force or fear. “Felonious taking” is defined as the illegal taking away of something. Robbery is classified as a felony and is a serious offense. Under the Penal Code, robbery is broken down into two degrees. First degree includes such actions as robbery of a mode of public transportation (bus, taxi, etc), any passenger on such a hired vehicle, an inhabited dwelling, an ATM transaction, or an inhabited portion of a building. All other robberies are in the second degree. The punishment for first degree robbery can be up to nine years in a state prison. The punishment for second degree robbery can be up to five years.
Felony robbery is a strike under California’s Three Strikes law. See California Penal Code Section 667, 1192.7(c)(19). If this offense is your third strike, you will face 25 years in state prison.
For more information on this crime, visit our site at ww.wklaw.com and read our robbery section.
Robbery charges, in whatever degree, is a serious offense. It is therefore necessary to retain out experienced legal representation immediately. The criminal defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have been handling robbery cases for more than 20 years. Out Southern California attorneys will do a thorough investigation of all the facts and raise all possible defenses on your behalf. Facing possible imprisonment in state prison is a terrifying ordeal, and we will be here for you throughout this experience. Call Wallin & Klarich today at (888) 280-6839 and visit us on out website at www.wklaw.com to speak with one of our attorneys regarding your matter. We will be there when you call.
